‘Black Gold’ on the soil of Jharkhand Or a deal of death? Questions raised in Assembly on opium cultivation spread over 27,000 acres

Opium cultivation Jharkhand: The issue of illegal opium cultivation in Jharkhand was raised in the Legislative Assembly today. In fact, the scope of opium cultivation has increased more in comparison to the last several years. Besides, there is also talk of giving protection to this illegal farming. The ruling party has also expressed its views on the issue.

It is not a normal phenomenon for the scope of illegal opium cultivation to suddenly increase 10 times in just a few years in Jharkhand. This is not only a big challenge to the law and order of the state, but also points towards a well-planned conspiracy to push the coming generation of Jharkhand into the deadly quagmire of drug addiction. The heated discussion on this issue during the budget session of the Assembly has made it clear that the roots of opium have gone deeper than expected in many areas of the state.

How did the area under opium increase 10 times in 4 years?

During the proceedings of the Assembly, when Littipara MLA Hemlal Murmu tabled the government data related to opium cultivation, there was silence in the House. Statistics are testifying to how fast the illegal opium trade is spreading in Jharkhand. While in the year 2020-21, opium cultivation was found on about 2871 acres of land, in the next two years it increased to 5494 acres and then to 4853 acres.

But the scariest picture is of the year 2024-25. Within this one year, the area under opium cultivation has suddenly jumped to 27,215 acres. This surge is so huge that it has put a question mark on the entire administrative machinery. MLA Murmu directly asked that under whose nose and under whose protection such large amount of illegal farming is flourishing? Farming being done on such a large scale and the administration not being aware of it, in itself gives rise to many suspicious stories.

Suspicion of patronage and collusion, sharp questions echoed in the House

Opium cultivation is not just an agricultural crime but is a major part of organized crime. During the discussion in the House, the MLA also sought information from the government as to how many cases related to this illegal business have been registered in the last four years and the investigation of how many of them has been completed. The biggest concern is those ‘white collars’ And concerns were raised about the patrons, on whose instructions this illegal business is going on without any fear.

Murmu stressed that farming on such a large scale was not possible without some local or effective protection. He clarified to the government that concrete action has been taken against how many people in this case so far. This issue is no longer just about legal violation but has also become a social concern because this opium crop is ultimately going to ruin the future of the youth of the state in the form of addiction.

Is merely destroying the crop enough?

Amidst tough questions from the opposition and MLAs, Minister Yogendra Prasad took the lead on behalf of the government. He admitted in the House that in the year 2024-25, cases of illegal cultivation of opium have come to light on a record 27,215 acres of land in various districts of the state.

Also read: Both Deputy CMs of UP were stuck in Indigo flight for an hour, technical fault became the reason.

The minister defended himself by saying that the administration is not sitting idly by and by running a special campaign, this illegal farming has been destroyed on a large scale. The Minister assured the House that the government is continuously running a campaign to root out drug trafficking and farming. When asked about the collusion of officers, he said that at present no case of involvement of any officer of Jharkhand Police Department has come to light. However, he also gave a strong warning that if any officer or person is found involved at any level in future, the government will take such action against him which will set an example.